The Drowning Girls
By Beth Graham & Daniela Vlaskalic
& CHARLIE TOMLINSON
The Drowning Girls recounts the story of Bessie, Alice and Margaret, three of the many wives of George Joseph Smith, an Edwardian opportunist who made a living marrying women, taking out life insurance policies for them and subsequently drowning them in their baths. Three ghostly brides surface from bathtubs full of water, to gather evidence against their womanizing, murderous, husband by reliving the shocking events leading up to their deaths. As they make their case, they discover how they have been victimized not only by George Joseph Smith, but also by society at large. Full of rich images, a myriad of characters, a quirky sense of humour and lyrical language, The Drowning Girls is both breathtaking fantasia and social critique.
CHARACTER LIST
BESSIE – also plays GEORGE, CAROLINE, JOHN, Dr. BILLINGS, Mrs. RAPLEY, AMELIA, MARKS and Sergeant PAGE.
ALICE – also plays JOHN, GEORGE, HENRY, Mrs. TUCKETT, Mrs. CROSSLEY, JANE, Inspector NEIL, and Mr. BODKIN.
MARGARET – also plays HENRY, the CONDUCTOR, Alice’s MOTHER, Mrs. BLATCH, Sergeant REID, KNOWLES, the CONDUCTOR, and Miss BRIGHTON.
